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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Post-Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure in Closed-chest Coronary Occlusion/Reperfusion Model in Göttingen Minipigs and Landrace Pigs
14:35

Post-Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure in Closed-chest Coronary Occlusion/Reperfusion Model in Göttingen Minipigs and Landrace Pigs

Published on: April 17, 2021

Use of valsartan in post-myocardial infarction and heart failure patients

Peter P Liu1, Aldo Maggioni, Eric J Velazquez

  • 1University Health Network in Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. peter.liu@utoronto.ca

Journal of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System : JRAAS
|September 22, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) offer a well-tolerated and effective alternative to ACE inhibitors for managing heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction, particularly after myocardial infarction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure are common after hypertension and myocardial infarction.
  • The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in these conditions.
  • Targeting angiotensin II (Ang II) is a therapeutic strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Ang II receptor blockers (ARBs) in patients with LV dysfunction and/or HF.
  • To compare ARBs with ACE inhibitors for RAAS blockade and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of large-scale clinical trials assessing ARBs in patients with LV dysfunction/HF post-MI.
  • Comparison of ARB efficacy and tolerability against ACE inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • ACE inhibitors reduce mortality and slow disease progression but may not provide complete RAAS blockade and can cause side effects like cough.
  • ARBs may achieve more complete RAAS blockade and are generally better tolerated than ACE inhibitors.
  • Large trials confirm ARBs are effective and well-tolerated alternatives to ACE inhibitors in this patient population.

Conclusions:

  • ARBs represent a valuable therapeutic option for patients with LV dysfunction and/or HF, including those post-MI.
  • ARBs provide an effective and well-tolerated alternative to ACE inhibitors for managing RAAS-related cardiovascular complications.

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